Chapter 307: 307 Heart-killing
Isn’t there a solution right here?!
If they can’t solve the Crossing Tribulation Realm, then they just won’t solve it.
If everyone powerful gets sealed away, he will still be the head honcho of the world...
Lin Bai’s eyes gleamed, his thoughts broadening as if a glorious path had unfolded before him.
Having imagined the scenario Lin Bai described, Old Ancestor Nan Rong’s face darkened. He snarled, "Lin Thief, you’re more heartless than an animal!"
But because he was mid-backflip while swearing, his stern and harsh words lost all impact, instead making him appear somewhat cute...
"Dare you belittle those of the Crossing Tribulation Realm like that? Aren’t you afraid of divine retribution?" Old Ancestor Tuohai’s face turned ashen, his lips trembling.
Those at the Hollow Realm and above can nourish themselves with the Spiritual Energy between heaven and earth, surviving even without food or drink. If Lin Bai doesn’t release Phoenix Seeks Phoenix, they could truly be forced to dance indefinitely.
The thought alone made his scalp tingle.
Cultivators of the Divinity Transformation Realm faced an even more ghastly fate. While they could sustain themselves with the Spiritual Energy of heaven and earth, they might perish from exhaustion within a few months under these conditions.
No. Perhaps death would be a release for them. Compared to that, those enduring eternal torment were far worse off...
"Lin Bai, how could you be so cruel?" Tu Yan, pacing back and forth like a duck, stared at Lin Bai with a murderous gaze.
He knew Lin Bai’s Rules were absolute. He had made many preparations in advance, activating the Sea of Blood and tricking the Transcendance Tribulation Stage Ancestors into appearing, intending to force their hand to resolve the Blood Sect’s current crisis.
But he never expected that once Lin Bai made his move, the entire Blood Sect, from top to bottom, would be annihilated. They couldn’t even mount a decent resistance. The Path of Rules was simply too unfair!
This is so frustrating!
"I don’t believe it! I don’t believe the Path of Rules can control people for eternity!" A Great Cheng cultivator, beet red in the face while doing a headstand, shouted, "You must be trying to scare us!"
"If word of this gets out, aren’t you afraid of becoming a public enemy of the entire world?" a Great Cheng cultivator roared angrily.
"When you all issued the Wen and Evil Decrees, I was already a public enemy." Lin Bai glanced up at the azure sky, then met their gazes again, scoffing. "Since ancient times, victors make the rules. As long as I conquer all Seven Righteous Sects and Five Demonic Sects, the Cultivation World will be mine to command. As for divine retribution, I am destined to cultivate into the Heavenly Dao. In the future, divine retribution will also be mine to decide. Frankly, your current predicament looks more like you’ve suffered divine retribution before I have..."
Tong Lin stole a glance at Lin Bai, her heart pounding furiously. She felt incredibly fortunate to have surrendered earlier. What Heavenly Dao? Lin Bai is a living, breathing Evil Spirit walking the earth! Evil Spirits are far more terrifying than any Heavenly Dao.
...
"Alliance Hierarch, you aren’t seriously planning to do this, are you?" Cen Qing asked tentatively.
"Why not?" Lin Bai turned back to her, a faint smile on his lips. "You’ve seen how they view the Justice League and their attitude towards me. If I showed even a shred of weakness, you, I, and the entire Justice League would be dragged into an endless quagmire of war. That benefits no one. The current situation calls for decisive action to sort out this chaotic world. I’ve already figured it out: if I want to promote my Rules, then there can only be one voice left in this world."
"..." Cen Qing forced a smile. Though it looked rather awful, she opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but couldn’t bring herself to speak.
"Don’t be afraid, Fairy Cen. You can consider this a rare opportunity for training," Lin Bai consoled Cen Qing. "Look at these cultivators of the Transcendance Tribulation Stage and the Great Cheng in front of you. They’d love to devour you, yet they are powerless against you. Constantly facing them, won’t your Dao Heart be perpetually tempered? As you lead them across the lands, won’t your reputation soar to unprecedented heights? If you choose traditional cultivation, with a stable Dao Heart, you’ll have no fear of ascension. If you choose the Path of Rules, with such high renown, the Cultivation of Rules will be as easy as flipping your hand..."
Fine beads of sweat appeared on Cen Qing’s forehead. She asked with difficulty, "I... I have to parade them around the world?"
"Correct!" Lin Bai glanced sideways at Tuohai and the others, saying, "They see the Holy Extreme Sect and the Poison Sect as their last hope. We’ll go and crush that notion for them. Moreover, bringing them along when we attack other Sects will be twice as effective with half the effort. Fairy Cen, before long, all the male cultivators from the Seven Righteous Sects and the Five Demonic Sects will be kneeling at your feet. Imagine that. Aren’t you a little excited?"
Excited, my ass!
Her body trembling like a sieve, Cen Qing gazed at Lin Bai, stuttering, unable to utter a single word.
She couldn’t imagine it. Offending the Blood Sect was one thing, but she hadn’t expected Lin Bai to arrange for her to take on all the other Sects as well...
Temper her Dao Heart? This is clearly torment! It’s like being roasted over a fire! If it really comes to that, my entire life will probably be ruined. Whether she picks a target from them or not, Lin Bai can’t possibly eliminate everyone. The moment she stops Phoenix Seeks Phoenix, she’ll be doomed to eternal suffering.
"You brat! How dare you!" Old Ancestor Tuohai’s terror was palpable. Dancing on the outskirts of the Blood Sect was one thing, but being paraded by Lin Bai through all Seven Righteous Sects and Five Demonic Sects? How could he ever show his face in this world again?
Why does such an Evil Spirit exist in this world? Compared to methods like these, soul refining and puppet making are mere child’s play!
"Fellow Daoist Cen, if you could release us, this old man would be eternally grateful." Old Ancestor Nan Rong pinned his hopes on Cen Qing. "For the sake of the myriad cultivators in the world, Fairy, please release us!"
"Fellow Daoist Cen, don’t listen to Lin Bai’s nonsense! You’re being coerced by him! If his Rules are ever undone, you’ll be doomed to irreversible ruin, hated by all cultivators in the world!" Tu Yan urged anxiously. "Lin Bai can protect you for a while, but not for a lifetime! Pull back from the brink; it’s not too late..."
"Fairy Cen, you are a kind person! Please, prioritize the greater good!" a cultivator shouted. "Since ancient times, evil has never triumphed over righteousness. Lin Bai’s actions are clearly those of an Evil Spirit!"
"I..." Cen Qing looked conflicted.
"Silence!" Lin Bai roared, his voice amplified to drown out the cacophony. He looked at Cen Qing. "Fairy Cen, these Transcendance Tribulation Stage Ancestors are dancing and tumbling before you, and the Great Cheng Ancestors are quacking like ducks and doing hip-thrusting dances. For self-preservation, they truly won’t harm you now. But as time passes, will they still allow you to live? The human heart is exceedingly complex. Are you willing to gamble on the humanity of this crowd, or will you bet that in a few months, I will master the Principle of the Great Tao, truly suppress these people, and grant you permanent peace?"
"..." Cen Qing looked at the numerous Great Cheng cultivators, then at Lin Bai, her gaze gradually firming. "Cen Qing is willing to follow the Alliance Hierarch’s lead."
The moment Cen Qing declared her stance, Tuohai and the others’ hopes were once again extinguished. Furious roars erupted anew.
"Evil Spirit!"
"Bewitching hearts and minds!"
"You will regret this..."
...
"Do you see? The moment things go wrong, they curse you, lacking even the patience for a second attempt at persuasion. How can you trust the promises of such people?" Lin Bai shook his head, looking disdainfully at those before him. "I may act audaciously, but every word I speak is a commitment I fulfill, and I don’t stop until my objective is achieved. The Path of Cultivation is being replaced by the Path of Rules precisely because of these wavering cultivators!"
[Resentment from Tuohai, Nan Rong, Tu Yan... +1, +1, +1]
"..." After Lin Bai’s ’guidance,’ Cen Qing felt as if her spirit had been elevated. Looking at the Crossing Tribulation Realm Ancestors again, her once apprehensive heart was now as still as an old well; it was like watching a troop of insignificant clowns. She sneered and spat towards the Crossing Tribulation Realm cultivators before her. "Truly a bunch of wavering, shameless scoundrels."
Lin Bai chuckled. "Cen Qing, you’ve been wronged this time, but you’ve also performed a great service. Would you be willing to become my disciple? My Way of the Master has advanced, and the number of disciples I can accept has increased significantly."
Cen Qing was stunned for a moment, then her face lit up with joy. "Master, please accept this disciple’s bow!"
Becoming Lin Bai’s disciple was undoubtedly a great reassurance to her. She didn’t aspire to the same status as Xu Longyun or Jiang Qingqin; as long as Lin Bai could protect her, his disciple, she would be content.
Xiao Yu and the others’ eyes lit up instantly, each of them eager to seize the chance. Not to mention the perk of a fifty percent acceleration in cultivation speed as Lin Bai’s disciple, just given his current strength, becoming his disciple was no loss at all...
As for Players like Silver, they watched Lin Bai from afar, a man who could turn tides with a flip of his hand. A new sense of anticipation bloomed in their hearts. This is the chance! Becoming Lin Bai’s disciple means soaring to the heavens!
...
Signaling Cen Qing to rise, Lin Bai turned back to Tuohai and the others, saying disdainfully, "You’re all naive enough to think that if Cen Qing released you, I’d be out of options? Have you seen the many female cultivators in the Justice League? Any one of them can be your ’Phoenix’!"
He then provocatively looked at Tong Lin, who was tightly bound, and asked, "Lady Tong, if I asked you to replace Cen Qing and lead this group, would you be willing?"
"I would be honored." Tong Lin struggled to lift her head and replied without hesitation.
To be honest, Lin Bai’s series of maneuvers had long since terrified her. This man before her was simply not someone she could oppose...
Tuohai and the others glared at her, their eyes burning with fury. Nothing was more heartbreaking than betrayal by one of their own!
Lin Bai reached out and snapped the ropes binding her. Under Tong Lin’s astonished gaze, he smiled and nodded at her, "Lady Tong, congratulations. You’ve won my trust. From now on, you are an official member of my Justice League. I hope you cherish this opportunity."
Suddenly free, Tong Lin’s face was a mask of disbelief. But joy quickly flooded her heart. She hastily straightened up, ignoring Tu Yan’s repeated warning glances, and cupped her fists to Lin Bai. "Alliance Hierarch, for your trust, Tong Lin is moved to tears! I will surely charge into the fray for the League and dedicate my life to it!"
Pfft! Tu Yan spat again, expressing his fury.
Suddenly, the cultivators from the Hollow Realm and Divinity Transformation Realm behind them began to clamor.
"Alliance Hierarch Lin, we are also willing to submit to the Justice League!"
"We beg the Alliance Hierarch for mercy and to take us in!"
"Opposing the Alliance Hierarch was the Sect Master’s and the Great Cheng elders’ decision! It had nothing to do with us!"
...
Lin Bai levitated slightly, then pressed his hand downwards. Instantly, all clamor ceased, save for the sounds of singing and chanting.
The Blood Sect cultivators’ ’performances’ didn’t stop, but they all looked expectantly at Lin Bai, awaiting his arrangements and orders.
Witnessing this scene, Tuohai and the others were plunged into utter despair. The Blood Sect is finished. Even if the Rules are somehow undone and they regain their freedom, those cultivators below will no longer have the courage to oppose Lin Bai.
An immense sorrow filled their hearts. Tens of thousands of years of foundation! Destroyed single-handedly by a mere upstart in less than an hour! Is our era truly coming to an end?
"Fellow Daoists, I understand your desire to join the Justice League. The Blood Sect has many members, so it’s inevitable there will be impostors among you, hoping to use joining the Justice League as a pretext to regain freedom and then cause trouble from within." Lin Bai said, surveying the crowd. "The Justice League’s great cause of unification is at a critical juncture. What I need is stability. Therefore, for the time being, I can only ask those Daoists who genuinely wish to join the League to bear with this situation. Joining the League means sharing its fortunes and hardships. I trust that you, fellow Daoists, are willing to endure some hardship for the sake of the League, correct?"
The cultivators who had thought surrendering would end their ’performance’ were rendered speechless. Torment if they surrendered, torment if they didn’t. Life was so damn hard!
"...They don’t even have the patience to persuade you a second time..." Lin Bai’s recent denunciation of Old Ancestor Tuohai was still vivid in their minds. The low-ranking cultivators sighed dejectedly; this was surely Lin Bai’s warning to them as well. If we go back on our word now, who knows what kind of fate awaits us?
"Please don’t say that, Lin, the Storekeeper! As long as we can join the Justice League, we are willing to endure any grievance, no matter how great!" some of the quicker-witted cultivators had already figured things out and were the first to declare their stance.
"We are more than willing!"
...
"Thank you for your understanding, fellow Daoists." Lin Bai smiled. "Please rest assured, fellow Daoists. It won’t be long before I, Lin Bai, conquer the Seven Righteous Sects and the Five Demonic Sects. When that time comes, all cultivators under heaven will be one family, so there will be no question of who is laughing at whom. You need not worry about losing face. With the experts of the Crossing Tribulation Realm and the Great Cheng taking the brunt of it up front, it’s unlikely anyone will pay attention to insignificant figures like yourselves. So, relax, consider this experience a journey to temper your hearts. Sing, dance, and make merry to your hearts’ content..."
[Resentment from Tuohai, Nan Rong, Tu Yan... +1, +1, +1]
The low-ranking cultivators were speechless for a moment. Although Lin Bai’s words were meant to console them, upon careful reflection, they left an especially bitter taste.
...
"Fellow Daoists of the Justice League!" Lin Bai turned towards them and announced loudly. "From this day forward, the Blood Sect is no more! Let us search their Sect grounds to replenish our resources, set up the Magpie Bridge, and then, striking while the iron is hot, proceed to the next Sect. How does that sound?"
"As the Alliance Hierarch commands!" The morale of everyone in the Justice League soared. There’s no easier Sect war in the world! We don’t even have to lift a finger, just tag along for the spectacle. What’s not to like?
Lin Bai smiled and stepped into the Sea of Blood first. Having shared in the Great Cheng of the Sea of Blood, he felt no hindrance moving through the bloody aura; on the contrary, he felt completely in his element, like a fish in water.
Behind him, Ye Song and the others dragged the female cultivators who were bound by Bind the Immortal, not daring to slack off. Since Lin Bai hadn’t untied them, they naturally didn’t dare to act on their own authority.
As for the female cultivators bound by Bind the Immortal, when compared to the many male cultivators following Cen Qing—walking while playing instruments, singing, and chanting—their sense of humiliation had long since vanished.
It’s just being bound, after all. One day, we’ll win Lin Bai’s trust like Senior Sister Tong Lin and regain our freedom. Those poor fellow sect members... they’ll probably have to maintain these postures, crossing rivers and seas, following Lin Bai to conquer the world.
...
As the Blood Sect cultivators, singing and dancing, followed Lin Bai into the Sea of Blood, the Players watching the livestream offline erupted. Countless Players posted all sorts of comments on the Beggar Gang Players’ bullet screen.
Players from financial groups, represented by Far Vision Eagle, however, quickly logged off and began rapid discussions and exchanges via instant messaging software.
The Phoenix Seeks Phoenix Skill is too tyrannical. If we can’t find a way to counter it, it won’t be long before the entire Immortal World belongs to Lin Bai. At that point, apart from the Lin Bai Support Group, Players from all other factions will undoubtedly face annihilation. Lin Bai alone can take on the world; he has no need for uncontrollable and unstable elements like us.